A record year for real estate

Comment E-mail to friend Bookmark & Share Last year proved to be a record year for real estate transactions, with volumes hitting their highest levels since 2005 to reach US$90.4 billion. The 24.2 percent year-on-year increase was led by strong investment activity in Australia, China and Japan, with these three markets each likewise recording their highest annual total since 2005. Japan was the standout performer with transaction volume surging a massive 110.5 percent year-on-year to US$23.7 billion thanks to the implementation of stimulus policies that boosted market sentiment. Australia and China grew by 35.5 percent and 17.9 percent year-on-year, respectively. Led by Asia Pacific institutional and private investors, last year also saw more cross-border activity, which increased 48.3 percent year-on-year to US$18.7 billion. Notably in Q4 2013, Australia recorded its high...